‘Anime GTA 6’ Ananta finally has an official January 2027 release date

TL;DR: NetEase and Naked Rain set free-to-play open-world RPG Ananta’s release for January 15, 2027 on PC, PS5, and mobile. The trailer showed driving, skating, flying, stealth, melee combat, multiple playable characters, a second city Chongxiao, internet-culture fame mechanics, martial-arts combat, cosmetic-focused purchases, and over 17 million pre-registrations.
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Ananta, the free-to-play open-world RPG frequently described online as “anime Grand Theft Auto,” finally has a release date. Publisher NetEase and developer Naked Rain confirmed during Gamescom’s Opening Night Live show that the game will launch worldwide on January 15, 2027, for PC, PlayStation 5, and mobile.

A new trailer shown at the event offered the clearest look yet at the game’s scope, showcasing open-world driving, cycling, skateboarding, flying, stealth, and melee combat across sprawling city environments. It also featured a large cast of characters and at least one very unexpected UFO.

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Players take on the role of Captain, a member of a struggling peacekeeping organisation called the ACD, who must restore the group’s standing while also searching for a missing father. The game leans heavily into internet culture as a core mechanic, tasking players with building fame and influence through story missions, side quests, bounties, and taking selfies with NPCs.

• Read more: An Anime take on GTA 6 that’s free? Ananta looks highly derivative – but also seriously fun

The trailer also introduced the game’s second city, Chongxiao, a fictional metropolis inspired by real-world cities including Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Tokyo. Combat draws from real-world martial arts, including Shaolin kung fu, and players can seek out in-game masters to learn new techniques.

Ananta will also feature multiple playable characters beyond Captain, with each offering what Naked Rain describes as a distinct perspective, storyline, and approach to exploration and combat. NetEase reportedly removed gacha-style mechanics tied to unlocking those characters a couple of years ago.

While the game will still include in-game purchases, they are expected to focus on cosmetics, vehicles, and decorations rather than character unlocks. That puts Ananta closer to a free-to-play competitor to Grand Theft Auto Online than gacha RPGs like Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail.

Who is the player character ‘Captain’ and what is their main story objective?

How does Ananta use internet culture and fame as a game mechanic?

What combat systems and martial arts influences are featured in Ananta?

Will Ananta use gacha mechanics for unlocking characters or focus in-game purchases elsewhere?

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More than 17 million people have pre-registered for the game ahead of launch. In the meantime, players can sign up for a chance at free cosmetics and in-game currency.